Creative Exchange 2026
Presented by Akron Black Artists Guild (ABAG), Creative Exchange is a one-day professional development experience designed to strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and economic mobility of artists across Northeast Ohio. Connect with Northeast Ohio artists, join workshops, design challenges, and network with your community!
Light breakfast and full lunch included.
Agenda
08:30 AM
Check-In & Registration
09:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Opening Plenary
Kick off the day with a welcome and opening remarks, followed by conversation with Sneaker Academy Founder & Executive Director, Dominique Waters on Culture, Commerce & Creative Ownership. Where culture meets business. This high energy plenary explores how fashion, streetwear, and design shape economic ecosystems and build powerful brands. Discover how to monetize your creative identity without losing authenticity, turn everyday objects into storytelling platforms, and move from idea to product to distribution. Leave inspired to see your creativity as both cultural influence and economic power.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Breakout Session #1
Session 1: Explore, Engage, and Elevate Kick off the Creative Exchange with three hands-on workshops offered simultaneously, led by experienced artists and creative professionals. Workshops feature collaborative art making, business assistance, plus portfolio reviews to get direct feedback and strengthen your work.
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Breakout Session #2
Session 2: Deepen Your Practice and Expand Your Vision Continue your creative journey with another set of three concurrent workshops focused on skill-building and exploration. This session includes a panel on artistic sustainability and collaboration, writing and world building and ways to just rest as a creative!
12:45 PM – 01:30 PM
Lunch & Networking: Connect, Explore, and Celebrate
Take a break and fuel up while connecting with fellow creatives! Enjoy a lively networking lunch featuring local vendors and resource tables from organizations supporting artists and creative businesses. This is your chance to exchange ideas, discover new opportunities, and celebrate the day’s creativity. Don’t miss the excitement of voting for the Design Challenge winner as we highlight innovative projects and honor the artists bringing bold ideas to life.
01:45 PM – 02:30 PM
Closing Plenary
Commerce & Trade: Scaling Your Creative Business Globally Join Keynote speaker Michel Nouafo for a dynamic session centered on the power of commerce and trade in the creative economy. Drawing from their expertise with the U.S. Commercial Service at the International Trade Administration, they will explore how artists and creative entrepreneurs can leverage global trade to expand their reach and revenue. This conversation will highlight practical pathways for entering international markets, building cross-border partnerships, and thinking beyond your local community. Attendees will gain insight into how a strong understanding of trade and commerce can transform creative work into sustainable, scalable businesses with global impact.
Tickets
$25 students
$35 general admission
Help create a lasting legacy for students. Consider giving to the Susan B. Kosich Charitable Fund. This nonprofit funds the Susan B. Kosich Endowed Scholarship for Marketing Communications of Akron Community Foundation. The scholarship is open to all sophomore, junior and senior college students in Northeast Ohio pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a communications-related field. Applications open in Dec. 2026. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. Learn more.
